There are many things to love about Thanksgiving, and overeating is not one of them. It’s safe to say that most people eat enough carbs during the big meal to last them an entire month. Between the stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, pie, and other carbs, the Thanksgiving meal accounts for more than 3,000 calories and nearly 160 grams of fat. Those numbers are based on a full-on binge, and even though it only happens once a year, other factors like sodium and sugar can take a toll on your health. 

You don’t have to overindulge just because it’s Thanksgiving. It’s just so easy to add delicious options to your plate! We get that, but is it worth it to feel bloated and sick? Nutritionists suggest that it is better to choose smaller portions first and then go back for seconds of the foods you enjoyed the most. How exactly do you eyeball the right-size portions, though? Well, we have a little cheat sheet for serving sizes of the most common holiday dishes. Hopefully, this information helps you better navigate how much food you put on your plate. 

Mashed Potatoes

Is the Thanksgiving meal complete without mashed potatoes? Potatoes offer some health benefits, but all the salt, butter, and cream that goes into mashed potatoes renders them unhealthy. Not to mention the fact that people drown them in fattening gravy. Ideally, you will only serve yourself a half-cup of mashed potatoes, which registers 119 calories and 18 grams of carbs. Sticking to a scoop that is roughly the size of a 25-foot tape measure is best for your help. 

Gravy

You can’t have the aforementioned mashed potatoes without gravy, right? Some consider that a sin! People get carried away with gravy, ladling it over the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and even the occasional slice of pie. Nutritionists recommend the serving size for gravy to be no more than one-quarter cup, which is about one-and-one-half shot glasses. Gravy can be very high in sodium, so take it easy with the ladle, especially if you need to keep an eye on your blood pressure. 

Green Bean Casserole

Some people cannot let Thanksgiving happen without green bean casserole, while others don’t care for it at all. Vegetables are not usually the issue at Thanksgiving, but they are when you smother them in mushroom cream sauce and packaged fried onions. An eight-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup is very high in sodium and fat. The average green bean casserole yields about 735 milligrams of sodium and five grams of fat per cup. If you serve this dish at your Thanksgiving, try to keep the portion size to one cup. You can also go a little healthier, foregoing the cream of mushroom soup and fried onions and simply sauté green beans in olive oil with garlic, onions, and lemon juice.

Pie

There is never a shortage of pie at the Thanksgiving table. One could say that there are too many pies available to everyone. Desserts sneak a lot of extra calories, sugars, and carbs. A standard slice of pumpkin pie clocks more than 300 calories, not including whipped cream or cream cheese frosting. A slice of apple pie is very comparable, calorically speaking, but pecan pie is the densest and contains nearly double the calories. For a slice of pumpkin or apple pie, one slice is sufficient (about the size of a kitchen sponge). Cut that serving size in half if you go for pecan pie. 

Stuffing

Stuffing is like the mystery meat of starches, in that recipes vary so much (nutritionally speaking) depending on how you prepare the dish. Some people just use the classic box of stuffing mix and add in some onions, carrots, and celery. Others make their own croutons from whole-wheat bread and incorporate more vegetables, herbs, seasonings, nuts, and homemade vegetable stock. So many stuffings, however, contain tons of butter, bacon, sausage, duck fat, or even lard. This is not a dish that contains a lot of fiber or healthy nutrients. For that reason, nutritionists recommend the serving size be a half-cup.

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Root vegetables have been enjoyed by many cultures for hundreds, even thousands, of years. These vegetables are defined as edible plants that grow underground. Popular root vegetables include turnips, beets, potatoes, carrots, and ginger, among many others. Each vegetable comes with a distinct set of nutrients and health benefits, some of which we’ll explore in this article. Continue reading to learn about some healthy root vegetables to enjoy this fall and winter. 

Radishes

Radishes have a peppery flavor, which comes from the sulfur-containing compounds, isothiocyanates. These compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in the body. Radishes are also rich in vitamin C, which encourages optimal immune function and aids collagen synthesis. Additionally, radishes provide coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), anthocyanins, and phenolic acids, all of which aim to protect the cells in the body. 

Ginger

Ginger is a flowering plant from China and is closely related to turmeric, another root vegetable. It contains gingerol, the primary antioxidant to which researchers attribute many of ginger’s health benefits. One study involved 1,278 pregnant women, and study authors noted that ginger was effective at reducing morning sickness and nausea. Other studies have found ginger to be effective at reducing pain and inflammation. 

Beets

Beets may be one of the most nutritious root vegetables available. They are naturally rich in folate, fiber, manganese, and nitrates, which help dilate blood vessels, potentially lowering blood pressure levels. According to research, consuming beets may help improve exercise performance and increase blood flow to the brain. Take advantage of these benefits by roasting, steaming, juicing, pickling, or boiling these blood red vegetables. 

Rutabaga

This root vegetable is not in your average grocery store. It isn’t the most attractive vegetable, but it does offer lots of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and several B vitamins, including thiamin and niacin. These B vitamins are necessary for energy metabolism, cellular function, and growth. One cup of mashed rutabaga, which can serve as a potato substitute, satisfies nearly 50% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C. 

Carrots

Carrots are packed with provitamin A carotenoids, including beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene colors carrots and is largely responsible for their many health benefits. Carrots also contain vitamin K, vitamin B6, and potassium, which is a mineral necessary for blood pressure regulation. Because of the impressive amount of antioxidants, carrot intake has been linked to numerous health benefits, the primary of which is a reduced risk of multiple cancers, including pancreatic, leukemia, breast, and prostate. 

Onions

It would be hard for many recipes delicious without the addition of onion. They provide integral flavor and offer an impressive nutritional profile to boot. Onions are particularly rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Research shows that including onions in you daily diet may significantly reduce blood sugar levels, specifically in people with diabetes. Other research indicates that onions offer potent anticancer properties. Some observational studies note that a higher intake of onions may reduce the risk of common types of cancer.

Purple Potatoes

Unlike yams, which are naturally rich in beta-carotene, purple potatoes contain anthocyanins, which are plant pigments that give the potatoes their signature color and health benefits. Anthocyanins exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to researchers, a diet rich in anthocyanin-rich foods, such as purple potatoes and blueberries, is especially beneficial for heart health. One study found that consuming 200 grams of cooked purple potato per day for two weeks improved arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness increases the risk of heart attack and dementia. Purple potatoes may help enhance arterial health with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Celeriac

This root vegetable may be the ugliest one on this list, but don’t let the appearance steer you away. Celeriac belongs to the same plant family as parsley and celery and even tastes like celery. It provides lots of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. Because of its low carbohydrate content, celeriac makes a great lower-carb swap for other potatoes and root vegetables. Additionally, this unique root vegetable offers a variety of antioxidants, including flavonoids like apigenin and luteolin, which exhibit cellular-protective properties.

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Get ready to meet your new favorite condiment! Meet the delightfully spicy and incredibly creamy jalapeño cashew cream sauce. Drizzle it over salads as a dressing or replace it with ranch as a dip for carrot and celery sticks. When you finish cleansing, you can pour it over quinoa bowls, smear it on rice cakes, or serve with tacos and chips. You can even use it as a dairy-free substitute for mayonnaise.

This raw vegan jalapeño cream sauce has five core ingredients that create a luscious condiment that is more decadent than you could ever imagine. Don’t worry about the subtle kick from the jalapeño because it won’t overwhelm your palate. The nuttiness and creaminess of the cashews help mellow the heat, as does the bright lemon juice. If you do not have fresh lemons, you can use limes if you have them in the kitchen. Garlic gives an added boost of flavor, just like the onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Season to taste, but try to go easy on the salt. The lemon juice brings a little acidity to the party as well.

If you want to have a little fun with this sauce, feel free to add a few extra ingredients to adapt this sauce for unique flavors. You can omit the jalapeño, or keep it and add any of the following:

• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Curry powder
• Fresh ginger
• Turmeric powder (would go great with ginger)
• Tahini

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This isn’t your ordinary vegetable soup because this soup is made with roasted vegetables, which offer deeper, richer flavors and a subtle smokiness. Once you roast your vegetables, blend them together to make a creamy, addictive soup. Although there are many adjectives that can accurately describe this soup, it is simply delicious. Blending all of the ingredients together helps create a rich, creamy consistency. And the great thing about this soup is that is is great for all culinary skill levels. It is very beginner-friendly!

Why should you roast vegetables instead of steaming or sautéing them? While steaming is a great way to cook vegetables, you miss out on the caramelized flavor and delightful smokiness that comes from roasting them. But not all vegetables roast equally, as some take longer to cook than others. For example, it takes longer to roast tomatoes and bell peppers than it does to roast beets and parsnips. Because this recipe contains bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes, make sure to cut them appropriately to ensure even roasting. It is more important to cut the sweet potatoes and carrots thinly and the rest of the ingredients can be roughly the same size.

This recipe includes various vegetables, but you can make this soup with a few adaptations. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand and incorporate different spices. Do you like a little spice? Throw some cayenne or chili powder into the mix. Consider adding beans for more protein. Opt out of the oat milk if you want a soup made strictly of vegetables. Don’t be afraid to put your own creative spin on this!

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If you didn’t have a reason to fire up the grill, now you do. This grilled vegetable medley is simple to make and exhibits that smoky, charred flavor you want as summer comes to a close. You can turn these grilled veggies into a side dish or make a unique salad. The choice is yours, and we hope that you put your own creative spin on it, as everyone is their own grill master. Just make sure that you don’t burn your veggies to a crisp. You want them to retain some chew and juiciness. Cooking them for too long can dry them out and complete zap them of all their nutrients.

This medley uses red, green, and orange bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini. Feel free to add white button mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or replace the zucchini with yellow squash. You can even slice up some eggplant if you want! Although we seasoned these veggies with the staples (sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder), you can add other herbs that you enjoy. Great herbs to add include rosemary, thyme, oregano, and parsley.

For grilling, we high recommend that you use a grill basket. A grill basket makes it very easy to keep your veggies from falling through the grates. You can also use a skillet-like basket, or a closed basket with lids and handles. That allows you to flip your vegetables. If you do not have a grill, feel free to use a cast iron grill pan and cook the vegetables on the stove. A grill pan will give you the same char marks, just without the open fire char. Both are viable options!

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Sometimes, you stumble upon a salad recipe that you enjoy eating once per week. It is a recipe that you look forward to and crave deep within your bones. There is just something about it! Perhaps it hits the right sweet and salty notes and provides varying textures that create excellent mouth feel. A salad also doesn’t have to be any of those things. Maybe it contains six ingredients and a simple dressing. Is it this salad, perhaps? That’s for you to decide.

Tabbouleh is thought to have originated in the mountains of Syria and Lebanon as far back as the Middle Ages. It is a parsley-based dish that most commonly contains tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, mint, olive oil, salt, pepper, and bulgur wheat. This grain-free tabbouleh salad is non-traditional, but still very similar to the original. It bursts with a bright parsley flavor. Parsley is naturally rich in antioxidants and aids the body with its natural detoxification efforts.

Unlike the traditional recipe, this one contains the addition of bell pepper. It contains red onion, but you can also use shallot if you prefer that flavor, which can be a bit intense for some people. It’s also a no-mix dressing, meaning that you just add all of the ingredients to the bowl and mix. Keep it easy, people! This salad is fresh, citrusy, crunchy, versatile, extremely healthy, easy to make, and incredibly delicious. Enjoy it on its own or as a side dish that accompanies a more filling entree. We hope you love it as much as we do!

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Are you ready to enjoy a homemade salsa that is every bit as spicy and delicious as it is chunky and smoky? Some people like smooth, pureed salsa, while others prefer the chunky salsas that you make in a molcajete. Is the salsa imperfect? Yes, but it’s also perfectly chunky, smoky, and full of flavor. Not everything that you make has to look like a work of art. Sometimes, foods or dishes that don’t satisfy everyone’s aesthetic appeal taste the best! That’s how we feel about this salsa.

A molcajete, in case you are unaware, is the Spanish word for mortar and pestle. The name comes from the Aztec words that translate to “seasoning” and “bowl.” A traditional molcajete varies slightly from your average mortar and pestle, though. It is made from volcanic rock and the hard, rough surface makes it easier to grind spices or mash different ingredients, for example, the pan-roasted ingredients for this salsa. Just make sure that you don’t add all of the ingredients to the molcajete at once. Start by mashing the onion and garlic, then follow that with the jalapeño.

Once you have a smooth paste of onion, garlic, and jalapeño, you can add the tomatoes, one or two at a time. Don’t overcrowd the molcajete, or you’ll have tomato juices flying all over the place. Add your chopped cilantro, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper and mix to combine. Serve with some sturdy chips that can support the weight of this homemade chunky salsa. It’s got a little kick, but not so much so that it overpowers the rest of the ingredients. If you like a spicier salsa, add two jalapeños!

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Sometimes, you need a little spice to wake up those taste buds. There’s nothing quite like Thai spice, but the complex mixture of different ingredients creates layers upon layers of flavor. Even though the dish has a kick, it keeps you coming back for more, bite after bite. With this salad, you get the cool crunch of cucumber, which almost cleanses the palate as you make your way through this salad. The subtle bite of raw onion goes great with the nutty cashews. It’s an all-around great salad for a hot summer day.

Besides the addicting flavors, this salad can help you increase your water intake. Cucumbers are over 90% water, which is great news if you aren’t the best of keeping track of your water intake. Cucumbers are also rich in antioxidants, which work to combat oxidative stress. One study found that consuming cucumbers daily for one month increased antioxidant activity in the body. Cucumbers may also help lower blood sugar levels. A 2016 test-tube study found that cucumbers were effective a preventing diabetes-related complications.

The one thing to remember about this salad is that you wan to allow for 30 minutes of marination time. By allowing the cucumbers and onions to soak in the dressing, they can absorb more flavor. If you cannot handle a lot of spice, reduce the amount of jalapeño you put in the dressing, or consider removing the seeds.

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With the 4th of July knocking at the door, you’ve most likely gathered ingredients to create an impressive spread. Are you going to fire up the grill and char some vegetables or impress the skeptics with some meatless burgers? The fact of the matter is that so many traditional meat-centric dishes have vegan alternatives nowadays. That said, grilling some Impossible patties or Beyond sausages is not the healthiest way to eat. In fact, it’s just as unhealthy as eating a plateful of burgers and hotdogs. 

Independence Day cookouts commonly revolve around food because food brings people together. People can share stories, laugh, cry, and have a great time cooking and eating together. Much like music, food is a universal language that seems to unite complete strangers. You don’t need words to communicate how delicious a meal is. Hand gestures and facial expressions can reveal the truth!

If your goal is to enjoy delicious food and be a little healthier this Independence Day, head to the grocery store after perusing the following recipes. All of the recipes are vegan-friendly and they range from savory to sweet. After all, you need everything from appetizers and snacks to entrees and desserts for a successful 4th of July celebration. If you end up making one or more of the following recipes, post a picture and tag us @dherbs on the Gram! Stay safe and eat well, everyone!

Watermelon Cucumber Basil Lemonade

A perfectly refreshing drink recipe for warmer weather! This watermelon cucumber basil lemonade is free or added sugars and will enhance your hydration efforts at your sunny 4th of July party.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Frozen Lemonade

Do you love lemonade but hate the excess sugar and calories that come with it? You’re in for a treat with this healthier, frozen rendition! Make a big batch because it’s a surefire hit that’ll quench everyone’s thirst!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Rainbow Carrot Slaw

The unfortunate reality of the 4th of July is that people don’t consume a lot of colorful fruits and vegetables. This dish is a beautiful, colorful slaw that has fantastic crunch and sweetness from the rainbow carrots, but the dressing is the star of the dish.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Tomato Sweet Onion And Parsley Salad

Add some more color and vibrant flavors to your holiday by indulging in this light and refreshing tomato, sweet onion, and parsley salad. The best part is that the flavors only intensify after you mix everything together. 

Click here to make the recipe. 

Crispy Potato Taquitos

Incredibly satisfying and easy to make, these potato taquitos are stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes and topped with salsa, pickled onions, and crema. People can pick them up and crunch on them all day long, so make sure to make a lot if you want to enjoy a couple!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Simply Vegan Quinoa Burger

This vegan quinoa burger recipe is easy to make, packed with protein, and incredibly healthy. The patties come together in one mixing bowl. Make sure to cook them in a pan because they may crumble and fall through the grates on your grill.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Strawberry Coconut Popsicles 

Strawberry coconut milk popsicles are dairy-free, cane sugar-free, and 100% vegan. This recipe is perfect for the hot summer weather. They are like healthier creamsicles!

Click here to make the recipe.

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Testosterone is an androgen, a male sex hormone, that stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics as boys grow into men. The growth of body hair and the deepening of voices is all because of testosterone. Not to mention, it helps boys put on muscle as they go through adolescence. Testosterone is mainly made in the testicles and is essential for sperm production. 

Testosterone doesn’t only occur in men, though. Women have testosterone, just not as much as men do. Women produce testosterone in smaller amounts in the adrenal glands and ovaries. It affects sex drive, resilience, and ability to build muscle. Most women do not concern themselves with testosterone and tend to focus on estrogen. That said, it is a hormone that you can boost by eating certain foods. 

Men and women benefit from testosterone in myriad ways, but it primarily helps build healthy bones and muscles. It also affects muscle strength and the distribution of fat. Testosterone may even aid cognitive function, support mood, and enhance energy levels. 

Why Should Women Have Testosterone? 

Testosterone, in healthy ranges, can help the body repair and heal connective tissue, including bones, ligaments, tendons, skin, and nails. Healthy testosterone levels can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis as women age, while also influencing joint recovery. There are moments in life when women produce less testosterone, for example, before and during menopause. 

Adrenal gland function can also influence testosterone production. A stressed out or worn out person may not be able to produce enough testosterone. Cortisol that rushes through the body takes a toll on the adrenal glands. Being in a constant fight-or-flight state can deplete repair hormones like testosterone. For this reason, the healthier and more resilient the adrenal glands are, the easier it is for them to produce testosterone. 

Symptoms Of Low Testosterone In Women

Women who have low testosterone levels or testosterone deficiency may experience: 

• Fatigue (including a drop in energy levels despite adequate sleep)
• Mood changes (such as irritability and depression, in some cases)
• Weight gain (because low testosterone can lead to increased body fat, even to the point of obesity)
• Cognitive changes (some women may struggle to concentrate and experience memory difficulties)
• Decreased muscle mass (maintaining muscle is difficult with low testosterone levels)
• Reduced libido (a very common symptom in women with low testosterone)

If you are a woman and find that you can relate to the above symptoms, you may want to test your T levels. Women with T levels below 15 nanograms per deciliter have low T count. If you want to avoid supplements, the following nutrients from foods can help boost testosterone levels. 

Magnesium

Researchers note that magnesium may impact testosterone production by reducing oxidative stress. Studies suggest that magnesium works to increase testosterone levels. You can enhance testosterone production even more by increasing magnesium intake in combination with regular exercise.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Whether you are trying to boost testosterone levels or not, omega 3 fatty acids can benefit your health. Primarily found in fish and some plant-based sources, omega-3s can influence inflammation levels in the body. In some instances, supplementing with omega-3s for 12 weeks increased T levels. This was not the case for women supplementing with omega-3s.

Vitamin D

There are vitamin D receptors in the ovaries and adrenal glands, where testosterone is made in women. As vitamin D binds to these receptors, it can stimulate the ovaries and adrenal glands to produce testosterone. Additionally, getting enough vitamin D can help improve sleep quality. Poor sleep can actually reduce testosterone, so make sure to get vitamin D to support the body in these ways.

Antioxidants

According to research, antioxidants work to combat oxidative stress and protect cellular damage from free radicals. Oxidative stress can damage cells that influence testosterone production, such as those in the adrenal glands and ovaries. Antioxidants work to protect organs from damage and support their ability to produce testosterone. 

Testosterone-Boosting Foods

Focusing on whole foods and eliminating processed junk from your diet can make a world of difference to your overall health. Researchers confirm that a diet high in bread, pastries, dairy products, and desserts, in combination with a low intake of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, can inhibit healthy testosterone production. Here are some testosterone-boosting foods to aid your efforts. 

Pumpkin Seeds

Naturally rich in zinc, pumpkin seeds provide a vital nutrient necessary for testosterone production. They also contain phytosterols, which are plant compounds that act similarly to cholesterol. Phytosterols also work to support testosterone levels by influencing pathways involved in steroid hormone production. 

Leafy Greens

There are many reasons to get your daily dose of leafy greens. They are naturally rich in trace minerals and other compounds that promote overall health. Kale and spinach are great sources of magnesium, which as we explained earlier, is involved with testosterone production.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate arils (which people commonly refer to as seeds), are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may help increase testosterone in both men and women. 

Onion

Naturally rich in flavonoids, onions may help increase testosterone production. Researchers note that the quercetin in onions has the potential to boost testosterone levels. The other nutrients in onions may help manage factors that lead to low T count, such as obesity and insulin resistance. 

Broccoli

Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is another great green to add to your diet. It can help prevent the body from making bad estrogens. Indoles are the compounds that convert into diindolylmethane (DIM) during digestion. DIM may convert estrogen into less potent forms, reducing estrogen’s overall effects in the body.

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